After Manchester United pulled out of the race, Liverpool has swooped in with a £70 million bid to persuade Jarrad Branthwaite to leave Everton. According to SunSport, Liverpool is ready to offer Everton £63 million plus £7 million in potential add-ons for the young defender.

Previously, Branthwaite was a top target for United, but the Red Devils have since shifted their focus to signing Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt to bolster their defense. The 22-year-old center-back is reportedly keen on making a move to a bigger, more ambitious club.

Currently, Branthwaite is under contract with Everton until 2027, earning £60,000 per week. He is aware that a transfer to Liverpool could potentially increase his salary to £180,000 per week.

Liverpool is growing increasingly optimistic about securing Branthwaite. New manager Arne Slot views him as a perfect long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk.

The transfer would be a rare move between the fierce city rivals, with the last such deal being Abel Xavier’s transfer to Liverpool for £800,000 in 2002.

Everton is dealing with financial strains, and manager Sean Dyche has openly stated he is willing to sell players if reasonable offers come in.

Earlier this summer, Manchester United made two failed attempts to sign Branthwaite, with their highest bid reaching £50 million.

Liverpool has recently offloaded young defender Sepp van den Berg to Brentford for £30 million. Additionally, Joe Gomez might soon be on his way to Newcastle.